New Mexico’s gubernatorial candidates don’t see eye-to-eye on the decriminalization of marijuana.Though it’s legal for medicinal use in New Mexico, recreational use is illegal. “I believe it’s appropriate that we decriminalize marijuana to the point that we are not taking people who have small personal-use amounts of marijuana and put them in prison,” said the Democratic candidate, Gary King.Colorado law makes marijuana commercially available at retail stores. Residents must be 21 to use it and it can’t be smoked in public places like on the street or in parks, only in private residences. It also cannot be taken across state lines and users can only buy up to 1 oz.“I do not support full recreational legalization of marijuana,” said King, the state’s Attorney General. “We are tracking what’s going on in Colorado, where they have done that, and are trying to gain some knowledge from their experience.”Albuquerque tried to get it on the ballot, but failed. In Santa Fe, the city council voted to lessen the penalties and the county wants to do the same. Incumbent Republican Gov. Susana Martinez believes legalizing small amounts of pot is a bad idea, saying its use has long-term negative effects. “When you start having young people with access to marijuana as easily as they do other things, it really does impact, and I saw many of those kids when I was a prosecutor,” Martinez said. “Kids start to lose interest in school and stop showing up to school. Kids lose interest in a lot of things.”Mobile users: Tap for videoState-by-state look at marijuana laws

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —

New Mexico’s gubernatorial candidates don’t see eye-to-eye on the decriminalization of marijuana.

Though it’s legal for medicinal use in New Mexico, recreational use is illegal.

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“I believe it’s appropriate that we decriminalize marijuana to the point that we are not taking people who have small personal-use amounts of marijuana and put them in prison,” said the Democratic candidate, Gary King.

Colorado law makes marijuana commercially available at retail stores. Residents must be 21 to use it and it can’t be smoked in public places like on the street or in parks, only in private residences. It also cannot be taken across state lines and users can only buy up to 1 oz.

“I do not support full recreational legalization of marijuana,” said King, the state’s Attorney General. “We are tracking what’s going on in Colorado, where they have done that, and are trying to gain some knowledge from their experience.”

Albuquerque tried to get it on the ballot, but failed. In Santa Fe, the city council voted to lessen the penalties and the county wants to do the same.

Incumbent Republican Gov. Susana Martinez believes legalizing small amounts of pot is a bad idea, saying its use has long-term negative effects.

“When you start having young people with access to marijuana as easily as they do other things, it really does impact, and I saw many of those kids when I was a prosecutor,” Martinez said. “Kids start to lose interest in school and stop showing up to school. Kids lose interest in a lot of things.”